Abstract: A method of passivating silicon-oxide based low-k materials using a supercritical carbon dioxide passivating solution comprising a silylating agent is disclosed. The silylating agent is preferably an organosilicon compound comprising organo-groups with five carbon atoms such as hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) and chlorotrimethylsilane (TMCS) and combinations thereof. The silicon oxide-based low-k material, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, is maintained at temperatures in a range of 40 to 200 degrees Celsius, and preferably at a temperature of about 150 degrees Celsius, and at pressures in a range of 1,070 to 9,000 psi, and preferably at a pressure of about 3,000 psi, while being exposed to the supercritical passivating solution. In accordance with further embodiments of the invention, a silicon oxide-based low-k material is simultaneously cleaned and passivated using a supercritical carbon dioxide cleaning solution.

Abstract: An oxidizing slurry for removal of low dielectric constant materials. The slurry is formed utilizing non-oxidizing particles with a separate oxidizing agent, oxidizing particles alone or reducible abrasive particles with a compatible oxidizing agent. The particles can be formed of a metal oxide, nitride, or carbide material, by itself or mixtures thereof, or can be coated on a core material such as silicon dioxide or can be coformed therewith. A preferred oxidizing slurry is multi-modal in particle size distribution. Although developed for utilization in CMP semiconductor processing the oxidizing slurry of the present invention also can be utilized for other high precision polishing processes.

Abstract: Sheet transfer cylinder assembly of a sheet-fed rotary printing machine including a sheet transfer cylinder and a device for correcting register of overprints on a sheet by deforming the leading edge of the sheet which includes a gripper fly supported on a shaft and swingably mounted on the sheet transfer cylinder, and a bending device carried by the sheet transfer cylinder in a middle region thereof, the bending device being cooperatively associated with the gripper fly and being actuatable by swinging movement of the gripper fly for flexing the shaft of the gripper fly and deforming the leading edge of the sheet in a direction tangential to the circumference of the cylinder.

Abstract: Drive for cylinders of an offset printing machine having a gear train constructed of spur gears disposed as drive gears on respective shafts of the cylinders, and including clamping devices for synchronizing rotation of the cylinders, the clamping devices being rotatable with the spur gears respectively associated therewith and having respective gear rims deformable more or less in accordance with an adjustment thereof, including a clamping plate respectively disposed coaxially to the spur gears, the spur gears being helically toothed, and at least two of the clamping devices mounted on the clamping plates, respectively, and acting in radial direction upon the gear rim of the spur gear respectively associated therewith.

Abstract: In a dampening unit for offset printing machines having a dampening-medium tank, a rotating screen cylinder formed of a perforated support member covered by a blanket for conveying dampening medium supplied thereto from the tank, and a blow tube located adjacent the blanket and formed with nozzle openings for spraying the dampening medium by means of blowing air from the blanket onto a dampening unit roller, the improvement therein which includes means for freely rotatingly guiding the screen cylinder, and a driven dampening-medium conveying roller immersed in the dampening medium received in the tank and being in frictional engagement with the screen cylinder so as to feed the dampening medium from the tank to the blanket.

Abstract: A sheet-turning drum assembly for printing machines convertible from printing on one side of a sheet to printing on both sides of a sheet and from printing on both sides of a sheet to printing on one side of a sheet includes a drum and tongs-type grippers pivotally mounted on the drum and including a pair of tongs-type gripper halves. Separate drive members are operatively connected to the respective tongs-type gripper halves for controllably pivoting each of the tongs-type gripper halves, and a torsion bar spring is disposed between the separate drive members for mutually bracing the latter resiliently against one another.

Abstract: Sheet delivery for rotary printing machines having gripper bridges carried by revolving endless chains traveling along a chain path having a straight and ascending section merging with a section of the path extending horizontally across a delivery pile, includes means defining a sheet guide path having a curvilinear configuration spaced at a continuously varying distance from the endless chains and disposed below the straight and ascending section of the chain path.